Newport News trial postponed in deadly crash

NEWPORT NEWS — A jury trial was postponed Wednesday for a Newport News woman charged in the death of a 74-year-old man.

Jennifer Mangum, 39, crashed her car into Charles Stitt's Kiln Creek home May 27, killing him, according to police. Mangum is charged with aggravated involuntary manslaughter and DUI maiming charges, both felonies.

Mangum's trial was scheduled to begin Wednesday morning in Newport News Circuit Court. The case was continued to Jan. 13 when a new trial date will be determined.

Stitt and his 73-year-old old wife were inside their Timberneck Lane home when a car crashed through their house. The couple was transported to the hospital, where Stitt died. Stitt's wife was injured during the crash, but survived. The crash occurred at 3:45 p.m. while the couple was standing in their kitchen.

An officer who responded to the scene smelled alcohol on Mangum, and she told him that she had not consumed any in the 45 minutes since the crash, according to an arrest affidavit filed in Newport News General District Court.

Mangum underwent several field sobriety tests, which she "did not complete to my satisfaction," the officer wrote. Later, she was taken to Mary Immaculate Hospital, where she gave a blood sample for testing, according to the affidavit.

It's not clear what Mangum's level was on the test.

Stitt had worked in the "heavy construction equipment manufacturing industry" and served in the U.S. Army Reserve, according to his obituary. The couple was married for 53 years.